The People’s National Party (PNP), led by Janet Asana Nabla, has strongly criticised President John Mahama for forwarding petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to the Council of State.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, March 27, the PNP described Mahama’s move as unprecedented, arguing that past administrations had respected judicial independence and worked with Chief Justices despite political differences.
The party also accused Mahama of betraying his own commitment to women’s empowerment.
It noted that while the president had previously promised to implement the Affirmative Action Law to guarantee 30% female representation in government, his actions now seem to contradict that pledge.
The PNP argued that rather than promoting women’s leadership, Mahama appears intent on removing women already in key positions, including the Chief Justice and the Electoral Commission chairperson.
Janet Asana Nabla further criticised Mahama for prioritising efforts to remove the Chief Justice over delivering on his campaign promises to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
She warned that these actions could be part of a broader strategy to manipulate the political system ahead of the 2028 elections or even to pave the way for his own return to power after exhausting his two-term limit.
The PNP pledged that, if elected, it would push for constitutional reforms within its first month in office to limit the excessive powers of the presidency and promote more transparent and inclusive governance.
The party also called on Ghanaians to reject any attempts by the NDC administration to undermine democracy or hinder the progress of women in leadership.
Background
On Tuesday, the presidency announced that President Mahama had referred three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo to the Council of State.
According to a statement from Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the move aligns with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the procedure for removing a Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court on behalf of Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo, challenging the legality of Mahama’s actions regarding the potential removal of the Chief Justice.